Automated controls for ice rinks cool down costs

A user interface graphic is provided to allow facility personnel to set up event schedules and monitor how the system is running. By having the ability to monitor and control their system through the Pro-Act graphics, plant personnel can set the desired ice temperatures and schedule multiple events so that the control system can turn equipment on and off based on the system load requirements to maintain the desired ice temperatures.
In responding to the challenges, TCI looked to Portland, Maine-based Kepware Technologies for its communications software.

Combining Kepware’s KEPServerEx software and TCI’s high-end ice rink control system, the facility was able to implement automated control over their refrigeration plant. This means consistent ice temperatures, resulting in high-quality ice regardless of the time of year or the level of both rink usage and audience attendance. Any customization work for the communication system was done prior to the installation with the help of Kepware’s KEPServerEx software, which can be used as a simulator of the equipment to which it will eventually communicate upon implementation at the customer site. Kepware offers a nearly plug-and-play system with the ability to add custom graphics to suit specific customer needs that is often the case from one facility to the next. Custom graphics include such things as auxiliary control and monitoring of other facility equipment.

“Not only has KEPServerEx reduced the added investment required to establish communications on a project, with KEPServerEx, we install it, turn it on and we know it will work,” said Brad Watts, director of TechCold’s refrigeration control products. “It’s that simple.”

One feature that was requested by the Tim Hortons 4 Ice personnel was the ability to monitor the system from multiple client computers through the facility’s Ethernet network. This allows for remote monitoring of the control system not only from other client PCs within the facility but also from other buildings and areas of the city. Thanks to a partnership with Kepware, TechCold was able to provide the requested remote monitoring capabilities by adapting Kepware’s KEPServerEx OPC server software program. Because of the multitude of different facets of hardware and protocol technology that can be encountered with different projects, KEPServerEx has allowed TechCold to substantially reduce development time for these various applications through the program’s ability to communicate with over 150 different recognized protocols.